Pitot-static air data test system with pilot and co-pilot verification

ABSTRACT

An Air Data Test System (ADTS) for testing an aircraft pitot-static system including at least one pneumatic pump configured to generate an air pressure, at least two pairs of impact and static ADTS ports, a manifold system in fluid communication with the pneumatic pump and each pair of impact and static ADTS ports, and a signal processor operatively coupled to, and controlling, the at least one pneumatic pump and the manifold system. The signal processor is configured to issue control signals for independently and/or collectively testing each of the pilot and co-pilot pitot-static systems. One pair of ADTS ports is configured to supply air pressure to the pilot pitot-static system and the other pair of ADTS ports is configured to supply air pressure to the co-pilot pitot-static system. A mobile device wirelessly communicates with the signal processor to input the pressure values for testing the pilot and co-pilot pitot-static systems.

BACKGROUND

In many instances, one of the most critical systems for aircraft can bethe pitot-static system operative to determine the airspeed and/oraltitude of the aircraft inflight. Aircraft having dual controls caninclude separate, yet integrated, pilot and co-pilot systems. Manyaircraft may employ a pitot tube having a combination of at least oneforward-facing aperture and a plurality of orthogonal apertures,disposed about the circumference of the tube. In-flight, the total orimpact pressure (P_(i)) of the airstream can be captured by theforward-facing aperture (i.e., the pitot port) as the airstream rams andstagnates, i.e., decelerates to essentially zero (0) kts. When disposedin a region of relatively undisturbed flow, the orthogonal apertures canmeasure static pressure (P_(s)) which is a direct measurement of thefree stream airflow from which altitude and rate of climb may bederived. By using the values of static pressure (P_(s)) and impact ortotal pressure (P_(i)), the aircraft instrumentation system can derivemeasurements for airspeed and Mach number.

A related system, which may be equally flight critical, is the AutomaticDependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system. This system may use aradio transmitter or radar transponder to broadcast aircraft positionand flight plan information to other aircraft flying in the sameregional airspace. More specifically, the ADS-B can transmit informationconcerning altitude (A_(SL)), airspeed (A/S), and location data to areaground stations, and to other ADS-B-equipped aircraft in the vicinity.While air traffic controllers use the information for trafficmanagement, i.e., keeping aircraft some threshold vertical and/orlateral distance from each other, the ADS-B is particularly valuableover large bodies of water, e.g., the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, whereaircraft are often out of the range of control towers/air trafficcontrol. Accordingly, the pilots of each aircraft are individuallyresponsible for maintaining a safe distance between their aircraft andothers passing in close proximity. As such, a pilot is trained to listenfor broadcast information and make flight plan adjustments, e.g.,increase or decrease altitude, change heading, etc., to maintain a safeseparation distance between the operated aircraft and an approachingaircraft.

Presently, many aircraft operators perform routine maintenance/testingof both the pitot-static and transponder systems after a thresholdnumber of flight hours, or after an alert has been issued by theon-board aircraft diagnostic system. Generally, each system requiresdedicated hardware, firmware and/or software to run a series of testscorresponding to predefined in-flight conditions. That is, thepitot-static air data system employs an Air Data Test Set which connectsto the pitot and static ports of an aircraft via a number of hoses andfittings, while the ADS-B system is tested for operation of thetransponder and the issuance/broadcast of the correct longitude,latitude, airspeed and altitude data relative to sea level (i.e., whilethe aircraft is on the ground).

In addition to the cost of owning and operating separate test systems,i.e., an Air Data Test System (ADTS) and an Automatic DependentSurveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) test set, each system offers its ownunique challenges of operation, i.e., errors during test. With respectto the ADTS, even small pneumatic air leaks in the system can producesignificant/sizeable variations in altimeter readings. For example, anerror/variation as small as 0.1 millibars in air pressure will result ina variation of eighty (80 feet) of vertical height.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment of the disclosure, an Air Data Test System (ADTS) isprovided for testing an aircraft pitot-static system including at leastone pneumatic pump configured to generate at least one air pressurevalue, at least two pairs of impact and static ADTS ports, a manifoldsystem in fluid communication with the pneumatic pump and each pair ofimpact and static ADTS ports, and a signal processor operatively coupledto, and controlling, the pneumatic pump and the manifold system. TheADTS signal processor is configured to issue control signals thereto forindependently and collectively testing each of the pilot and co-pilotpitot-static systems concurrently or in turn. One pair of ADTS ports isconfigured to supply air pressure to the pilot pitot-static system andthe other pair of ADTS ports is configured to supply air pressure to theco-pilot pitot-static system.

In another embodiment, a mobile device having graphical user interfacewirelessly communicates with the signal processor. The mobile device isoperative to input the pressure values requisite for testing the pilotand co-pilot pitot-static systems.

In another embodiment, a system is provided for verifying an aircraftinstrumentation value comprising an Air Data Test Module (ADTM)configured to pneumatically simulate at least one instrumentation valuebased upon a pressure set-point. The pneumatically simulatedinstrumentation value corresponds to the pressure set point and isreported by an aircraft transponder. A receiver module receives thepneumatically simulated instrumentation value which is transmitted bythe aircraft transponder. A signal processor is operative to (i) controlthe ADTM, (ii) command a prescribed instrumentation value to besimulated by the ADTM, (iii) compare the prescribed instrumentationvalue to the pneumatically simulated instrumentation value, and (iv)issue a pass signal when the values match, and a fail signal when thevalues differ by a threshold value.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for testing a Pitot-StaticAir Data system and an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast(ADS-B) system. The method includes the steps of: (i) determining aprescribed instrumentation value, (ii) calculating a pressure set pointindicative thereof; (iii) pneumatically pressurizing the aircraftpitot-static systems by an Air Data Test Module (ADTM) to simulate atleast one instrumentation value, (iv) receiving the simulatedinstrumentation value issued by the cockpit instrumentation from anaircraft transponder, (v) comparing the simulated instrumentation valueto the prescribed value, (vi) determining whether the simulated andprescribed instrumentation values are equal, and (vii) providing avisual cue to an operator to validate the operation of the Pitot-StaticAir Data system and ADS-B systems.

The above embodiments are exemplary only. Other embodiments are withinthe scope of the disclosed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features of the invention can beunderstood, a detailed description of the invention may be had byreference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawingsillustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope ofthe invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placedupon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention.In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like partsthroughout the various views. Differences between otherwise like partsmay cause to those parts to be indicated with different numerals.Differences parts are indicated with different numerals. Thus, forfurther understanding of the invention, reference can be made to thefollowing detailed description, read in connection with the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a broken-away, schematic view of an Air Data Test System(ADTS) according to the present invention including a perspective viewof a commercial aircraft, an Air Data Test Set (ADTS), or an Air DataTest Module (ADTM), a pressure source, a manifold system, and aGraphical User Interface (GUI) wirelessly connected to, and controlling,the ADTS while conducting an aircraft air data test.

FIG. 2 is a broken-away, schematic, plan view of the Air Data TestSystem (ADTS) including a detailed schematic of the aircraft pilot andco-pilot pitot-static air data system and the internal pneumaticplumbing for the airspeed and altitude instrumentation within theaircraft cockpit.

FIG. 3 is an isolated plan view of the Air Data Test Set shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed schematic of the manifold system for the Air DataTest System (ADTS) according to the present invention including aplurality of precision pressure valves, precision sensors, zeroingvalves and drop-out valves.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic view of the control architecture of thesignal processor for the Air Data Test System (ADTS) according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a Pitot Static Air Data Tester withAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system whichsynergistically combines features of an Air Data Test System (ADTS) withthose of an Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system tofacilitate testing of each system independently or collectively whileallowing test results to be cross-checked for errors and accuracy.

FIGS. 7a and 7b is a flow-diagram of the test procedure in connectionwith the Air Data Test System (ADTS) and an Automated DependentSurveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) System shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide a Pitot-Static AirData Test System (ADTS) for simulating in-flight conditions of the pilotand co-pilot pitot-static systems configured to simultaneouslyoperate/energize the pilot/co-pilot pitot-static air data systems of asingle or dual-piloted aircraft. In another embodiment, the disclosedsubject matter provides a Pitot Static Tester which employs thecapabilities of an Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast System(ADS-B) which can validate data and information broadcast by atransponder, such as an aircraft transponder, which may enhance thefunctionality of the Pitot-Static Tester. Other embodiments are withinthe scope of the disclosed subject matter.

The embodiments disclosed herein may provide an Air Data Test System(ADTS) and an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Systemwhich provide simultaneous testing of the Pilot and Co-Pilotpitot-static air data systems while additionally incorporating testprocedures associated with its flight critical air data systems, e.g.,the aircraft GPS, transponder, etc.

Pitot-Static Air Data Test System with Pilot and Co-Pilot Verification

In FIG. 1, an Air Data Test System (ADTS) 10 can include an air datatest set 20 and can include a mobile device 30, which may be wirelesslyconnected to the air data test set 20. The air data test set 20 caninclude a housing 40 for enclosing, encasing or integrating: (i) atleast one pressure source 100, (ii) first and second static ports 120 a,120 b in fluid communication with the pressure source 100, (iii) firstand second impact ports 130 a, 130 b (hereinafter “pitot” ports) also influid communication with the pressure source 100, (iv) a manifold system140 interposing, and pneumatically coupled to, the pressure source 100and each of the static and pitot ports 120 a, 120 b, 130 a, 130 b, and(v) at least one signal processor 150 operatively coupled to, andcontrolling the operation of the pressure source 100 and the manifoldsystem 140. The first and second static ports 120 a, 120 b correspond tofirst and second channels, CS1 and CS2, respectively, while the firstand second impact ports 130 a, 130 b correspond to third and fourthchannels, CP1 and CP2, respectively. The function of the variouselements 30, 100, 120 a, 120 b, 130 a, 130 b, 140, 150 and the variouschannels CS1, CS2, CP1, CP2, are discussed in greater detail below.

The mobile device 30 can include a graphical user interface 32 forinputting commands to the ADTS 10. The mobile device 30 may include oneor more of a variety of mobile devices, for example, an IPhone® Seriesof Apple® products (both “iPhone” and “Apple” are registered Trademarksof Apple Inc., located in the city of Cupertino, State of California,USA) which can be Bluetooth-enabled to allow wireless pairing of theADTS 20 to the mobile device 30. The mobile device 30 may enable anoperator to input a static and impact (pitot) instrumentation valuecorresponding to an altitude and/or airspeed that the operator seeks totest. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the static andimpact pressure values may be simultaneously input to each of a firstand a second system (i.e. the pilot and co-pilot systems). While thedisclosure describes a mobile device having a Graphical User Interface(GUI) for inputting test data the Air Data Test System (ADTS) 20 mayinclude an input device which is wired directly to, or within, the testunit. For example, a touch screen input device (not shown) may beintegrated into the face of the Air Data Test System (ADTS) housing 40.In other embodiments, a computer terminal having a conventional monitormay be directly connected to the ADTS 20.

Table I below depicts a typical sequence of test values or “breakpoints” input by an operator for the purpose of testing the operabilityand accuracy of the Aircraft Data Test System. Therein, seven (7) pairsof commanded pressure values, i.e., static and pitot values, can beinput via the mobile device 30.

TABLE I Qc Diff. Test Altitude Ps Pressure Airspeed Pt Pressure Press.Point (feet) (mbar Abs.) (Knots) (mbar Abs.) (mbar) 1 0 1013.25 90.01026.44 13.19 2 5,000 843.07 130.0 870.73 27.66 3 15,000 571.82 250.0676.80 104.98 4 *29,000 314.85 310.0 479.37 164.52 5 35,000 238.42 280.0371.30 132.88 6 *41,000 178.74 270.0 301.91 123.18 7 GROUND AMBIENT 0.0AMBIENT 0.00 *= RVSM boundaries

In one of the embodiments, the signal processor 150 can issue signals tothe pressure source 100 and the manifold system 140 to simulate aircraftaltitude and airspeed values to both sides of an aircraft, i.e. thepilot and co-pilot sides, undergoing an air data test. That is, thesignal processor 150 issues commanded air pressure values to theinstrumentation on both the pilot and the co-pilot sides of the aircraftunder test.

In other embodiments, the manifold system 140 and signal processor 150can be configured to produce a highly precise pressure output. Asmentioned in the Background, even small deviations in pressure level canresult in relatively large errors in the aircraft altitude and/orairspeed values. In some embodiments, highly precise pressure regulatorsand pressure sensing equipment may be used to achieve the desiredpitot-static test results. To effect these results, the signal processor150 is configured to: (i) issue commanded air pressure signals to eachof the static and pitot ports 120 a, 120 b, 130 a, 130 b, (ii) monitorthe air pressure in the manifold system 140 (equivalent to the airpressure delivered to the aircraft) to detect variations beyond apredetermined range of air pressure values, and (iii) issue an airpressure correction signal to maintain the commanded air pressure whileconducting the air data test. As such, pressure may be maintained in themanifold system 140 irrespective of leaks which may continuously allow asteady loss of pressure in the manifold system. That is, pressure may bepumped into the manifold system 140 at the same rate that it is lost dueto leaks.

In embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 40 of the ADTS10 may envelope: (i) the pressure source, or pneumatic air pumps 100,(ii) the manifold system 140 for directing the flow of pressurized airfrom the pneumatic pumps 100 to each of the pilot and co-pilotpitot-static systems via channels CS1, CS2, CP1, CP2, and (iii) thesignal processor 150 for controlling the pressures delivered by thepneumatic air pumps 100 and the routing nuances of the manifold system140 to precisely control the highly sensitive pressures sensed by thepilot and co-pilot cockpit instrumentation 16, 18. In the describedembodiment, flexible tubing 34 (FIG. 1) connects the static and pitotports 120 a, 120 b, 130 a, 130 b of the ADTS 20 to the correspondingports associated with the pilot and co-pilot pitot-static systems 12,14. As an example, the pilot pitot-static system 12 may be on left sideof the aircraft 50 (looking out from the cockpit) while the co-pilotpitot-static system 14 may be on the right side of the aircraft 50.Similarly, the pilot altimeter 22 and airspeed indicator 24 may be onthe left side of the cockpit dash while the co-pilot altimeter 26 andairspeed indicator 28 may be both on the right side.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, precision pumps 100, pressure sensors210 a-210 d, and zeroing and drop-out valves 220 a-220 d, 230 a-230 dmay be employed to maintain precision control of the commanded pressurevalues sent and the actual pressure values achieved in the lines betweenthe air data test set 20 and the aircraft instrumentation 16, 18, i.e.,in the altimeters 22, 26 and airspeed indicators 24, 28. In thedescribed embodiment, the upstream pneumatic pressure source 100 isprovided by a pressure pump 110 and a vacuum pump 112. It will beappreciated, however, that a single pneumatic pump may be employed by,for example, using the output side thereof for providing positivepressure and the input side for providing negative pressure (i.e.,vacuum pressure.)

The manifold system 140 may comprise four channels CS1, CS2, CP1, CP2 ofair flow. The manifold system can connect the pressure source 100 toeach of the static and pitot ports 120 a, 120 b, 130 a, 130 b associatedwith the pilot and co-pilot pitot-static systems 12, 14 of the aircraft50 undergoing test. While the pressure values may be controlled by thepressure and/or vacuum pumps 110, 112, the manifold system 140 controlsand vents the pressures generated by the pumps 110, 112, to develop thepressure in each of the static and pitot ports 120 a, 120 b, 130 a, 130b. In one embodiment, a plurality of zeroing values 220 a, 220 b, 220 c,220 d interpose the pneumatic plumbing associated with each of thechannels CS1, CS2, CP1, CP2 of the manifold system 140. The zeroingvalves 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d are essentially interconnected, i.e.,across the channels CS1, CS2, CP1, CP2 and vented to a predefinedthreshold pressure PT prior to commencing a test cycle. In the describedembodiment, the zeroing valves 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d can be ventedto atmospheric pressure (14.7 psig or 1013 millibars), however, thevalves may be vented to another pressure value.

By connecting all of the zeroing valves 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d to acommon pressure, i.e., atmospheric pressure, system may “zero-out” anyoffset which may be present between the pressures sensors 210 a, 210 b,210 c, 210 d or account for any drift between the sensors over time. Inother embodiments, it may be desirable to vent the zeroing values 220 a,220 b, 220 c, 220 d to another ambient pressure, e.g., simulate apressure of 50,000 ft or 115 millibars, to account for drift of thesensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d at a higher altitude where pressurevariations are even more difficult to ascertain, which can furtherimprove precision. The zeroing valves 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d allowshighly accurate pressure differentials to be applied to the pilot andco-pilot systems, as required.

In yet another embodiment, and referring to FIG. 5, the signal processor150 can employ at least one master control processor 160 associated witheach of the static and pitot ports 120 a, 120 b, 130 a, 130 b acrosschannels CP1, CS1, and at least one slave control processor 170associated with the static and dynamic ports across channels CP2, CS2.In this embodiment, the master control processor 160 is synchronizedwith the slave control processor 170 such that the commanded airpressure associated with the master and slave control processors 160,170 are coordinated and can operate in unison. As a consequence, the airpressures associated with each of the master and slave controlprocessors 160, 170, may rise, fall, start, stop, accelerate anddecelerate together. More specifically, the synchronization functioncontrols when measurements are taken from the precision pressure sensors210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d. Any offset in the time between measurementscan result in an error signals which cause the pressure signals appliedto the aircraft to drift. It is for this reason that all of the sensorsmay be synchronized i.e., interrogated at the same time. In someembodiments, the sensors must be synchronized.

The master and slave control processors 160, 170 can each produce acontrol signal 160 s 1, 160 s 2, 170 s 1, 170 s 2, which can becontinuously compared to determine an error signal therebetween. Thedifference therebetween, or the error signal, can be added back to thecontrol signals of either the master or slave control processors 160,170 until the data matches, e.g., the control pressures. That is,depending upon a predetermined allowable between the signals, the staticand dynamic master control signals across channels CS1, CP1 will beincreased or decreased depending on the static and dynamic slave controlsignals and synchronized with the master control signals.

In the described embodiment, the master and slave control processors160, 170 use a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus protocol. The CAN buscan be a broadcast-type bus which indicates that all nodes of theprocessors 160, 170, “hear” all transmissions. As a consequence, signals160 s 1, 160 s 2, 170 s 1, 170 s 2 are picked up by all nodes of theprocessors 160, 170 to synchronize the control signals 160 s 1, 160 s 2,170 s 1, 170 s 2.

In yet another embodiment, each of the control channels CS1, CS2, CP1,CP2 can include “let-down” or “drop-off” valve 230 a, 230 b, 230 c, 230d, immediately upstream of the static and pitot ports 120 a, 120 b, 130a, 130 b, of the manifold system 140. Furthermore, the drop-off valves230 a, 230 b, 230 c, 230 d may be disposed downstream of the zeroingvalues 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d and the pressures sensors 210 a, 210b, 210 c, 210 d of the manifold system 140. The drop-off valves 230 a,230 b, 230 c, 230 d may be sequentially opened for instance, when poweris removed to the ADTS, i.e., manually or automatically, to preventlarge, sudden pressure drops in the manifold system 140 which mayinadvertently damage the altitude and airspeed instruments in each ofthe pilot and co-pilot pitot-static systems 12, 14. That is, thedrop-off valves 230 a, 230 b, 230 c, 230 d are functionally operative tomaintain a threshold pressure differential within each of the altitudeand airspeed cockpit instruments and a “safe at ground” pressure.

In summary, the ADTS system 10 of the disclosure can enable simultaneoustesting of both the pilot and co-pilot sides of the pitot-static systems12, 14. That is, the use of four (4) channels, two (2) for the staticports 120 a, 120 b and two (2) for the pitot ports 130 a, 130 b canallow simultaneous pressurization of both pilot and co-pilotpitot-static systems 12, 14. Furthermore, pressurization of both thepilot and co-pilot systems 12, 14 may eliminate leakage commonlyattributed to two (2) channel systems, which use a line-switching unitto separately and independently pressurize the pilot and co-pilotsystems 12, 14. The four (4) channel system of the present disclosureprovides a manifold system which delivers a constant pressure feed,thereby preventing the potential for one side to depressurize due toleaks in the line-switching unit or aircraft.

In addition to leaks in the system and loss of pressure, the ADTS 10 ofthe present disclosure can “zero-out” any offset which may be presentbetween the pressure sensors 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d while alsoaccounting for any drift therebetween over time. The Master-Slavecontrol architecture and CAN protocol, furthermore, can prevent loss ofsynchronization between pressure sensors and improves system accuracy.Finally, the use of drop-off or “let-down” valves may prevent damage tothe ADTS in the event of a sudden pressure loss within the system.

Pitot-Static Air Data Test System with Automatic DependentSurveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) System (Integrated ADTS/ADS-B System)

In another embodiment, the critical instrumentation features of thepreviously-described Air Data Test System (ADTS) can becombined/integrated with an Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast(ADS-B) system which broadcasts certain instrumentation data, i.e.,latitude, longitude, altitude and airspeed, via an aircraft transponder.More specifically, the integrated ADTS/ADS-B system may be capable ofone or more of: (i) simulating aircraft instrumentation data (producedby the ADTS hardware and software described hereinbefore), (ii)capturing/recording the simulated instrumentation data via a radio linkcapable of “listening” for the broadcast instrumentation datatransmitted by the transponder, and (iii) comparing the simulatedinstrumentation values to the prescribed instrumentation values i.e.,obtained in step (i), when determining the pressure sets correspondingto the prescribed altitude and airspeed values) to validate theoperation of the integrated systems, i.e., the ADTS/ADS-B systems. Assuch, the integrated ADTS/ADS-B system may allow thepneumatically-generated instrumentation values to be simulated and“reported-out” such that one can simultaneously test and determine thefunctionality of the aircraft ADS-B system.

In FIGS. 6, 7 a and 7 b, schematic and flow diagrams depict thearchitecture and operation of the integrated ADTS/ADS-B system 300. Morespecifically, and referring to a FIG. 6, the integrated ADTS/ADS-Bsystem 300 can comprise an Air Data Test Module (ADTM) 310 employing amobile device 320 to wirelessly input operator commands to the ADTM 310.The housing 400 of the ADT-B encloses, encases or integrates one or moreof: (i) at least one pressure source 410, (ii) first and second staticports 420 a, 420 b in fluid communication with the pressure source 410,(iii) first and second impact ports 430 a, 430 b (hereinafter “pitot”ports) also in fluid communication with the pressure source 410, (iv) amanifold system 440 interposing, and pneumatically coupled to, thepressure source 410 and each of the static and pitot ports 420 a, 420 b,430 a, 430 b, and (v) a signal processor 450 operatively coupled to, andcontrolling the operation of the pressure source 410 and the manifoldsystem 440. The first and second static ports 420 a, 420 b correspond tofirst and second channels CS1, CP1, respectively, while the first andsecond impact ports 430 a, 130 b correspond to third and fourthchannels, CS2 and CP2, respectively.

In step A of the test procedure, a communication link can be establishedbetween an aircraft 500 undergoing test and the integrated ADTS/ADS-Bsystem 300. More specifically, the ADTS and ADS-B system 300 can beequipped with a radio link 404 operative to receive RF transmissionswithin a predefined space although a wired connection may also bepossible for test purposes. Similar to the prior embodiment, theaircraft 500 can include a first (i.e. a pilot) and a second (i.e.co-pilot) pitot static system 512, 514 which include static and impactsensors 520 operative to send pressure signals 540 (i.e., via flexibletubing) to a pilot and co-pilot aircraft instrument 516, 518. Theaircraft 500 may also be equipped with a transponder, RF transmitter, orradio link 504 which may be electrically coupled to a suite of pilot andco-pilot instruments 516, 518 on-board the aircraft 500. The instruments516, 518 may include a pilot altimeter 522, pilot airspeed indicator524, co-pilot altimeter 526, and co-pilot airspeed indicator 528. Otherinstruments such as a rate-of-climb indicator and an angle of attackindicator may also be included.

In a step B, a GPS module 408 can establish communication with GPSsatellites to determine the current coordinates of the ADTS/ADS-B 300.Aircraft 500 may be equipped with an on-board GPS system 504 that canbroadcast, via its transponder 504, any one of a variety ofinstrumentation values to the radio link or receiver 404 of theintegrated ADTS/ADS-B 300 system.

Before discussing the steps C-J in detail, it may be useful to broadlydescribe the general approach associated with verifying method stepsincluding the steps of: (i) calculating one or more pressure set pointsindicative of prescribed instrumentation values, (ii) effectingpressurization of at least one of the aircraft pitot-static systems bythe Air Data Test Module (ADTM) 310 of the integrated ADTS/ADS-B system300 (i.e., to effect simulated instrumentation values via the cockpitinstrumentation of the aircraft 500), (iii) receiving the simulatedinstrumentation values, and (iv) comparing calculated/prescribedinstrumentation values to simulated instrumentation values. Statedanother way, the calculated/prescribed instrumentation values may becompared to the actual/simulated instrumentation values to determinewhether an error of sufficient magnitude exists, i.e., sufficient towarrant error correction of the pitot-static system, air data computerand/or ADS-B transponder.

Continuing with the detailed discussion of the method, step C1determines the set points indicative of a prescribed instrumentationvalue while step C2 pneumatically pressurizes the various channels CS1,CS2, CP1, CP2 until the set points have stabilized. In step D, thepressures applied through each of the channels can be read such thatthat the corresponding altitude and airspeed values may beevaluated/calculated in step E. That is, the instrumentation data fromthe aircraft transponder 504 can be automatically read to correlate theresults internally while displaying a result to the user. In steps F andG the instrumentation values can be broadcast by the aircrafttransponder 504. That is, the actual or prescribed instrumentationvalues can be read in step F and compared with the calculated valuesobtained in Step E.

If the datasets match in step H, then the test may continue, testinganother group of pressure set points in step I. If the datasets do notmatch in step H, then an alert may be issued concerning errors in theADT-B System 300 in step J. The entire process may be automated so thatwhen the user presses “START” the test runs until it ends with a“SUCCESS/FAILURE” message displayed the graphical user interface screen.

In summary, the integrated ADTS/ADS-B system 300 of the presentdisclosure can verify the functionality of the aircraft ADS-Broadcastsystem/transponder. These results can be verified for accuracy whenprior art ADS-B test results can produce erroneous or misleadingresults. That is, when tested, an aircraft ADS-B system may produce aresult that the aircraft is operating at zero (0) knots and at zero (0)feet in altitude when the aircraft is at rest in a hangar environment.By integrating an ADTS with the aircraft ADS-B system, an aircrafttransponder can be tested to see whether the simulated pressure values,i.e., associated with the altitude and airspeed values, are transmittedby the transponder. This not only can test the functionality of thetransponder, but can also test whether the transponder values correlateto the simulated pressure values.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof a hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “service,” “circuit,” “circuitry,” “module,”and/or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may takethe form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computerreadable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

Program code and/or executable instructions embodied on a computerreadable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium,including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable,RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer (device), partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

To the extent that the claims recite the phrase “at least one of” inreference to a plurality of elements, this is intended to mean at leastone or more of the listed elements, and is not limited to at least oneof each element. For example, “at least one of an element A, element B,and element C,” is intended to indicate element A alone, or element Balone, or element C alone, or any combination thereof. “At least one ofelement A, element B, and element C” is not intended to be limited to atleast one of an element A, at least one of an element B, and at leastone of an element C.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An Air Data Test System (ADTS) comprising: atleast one pneumatic pump configured to produce an air pressure; at leasttwo pairs of impact and static ADTS ports, one pair of ADTS portsconfigured to supply air pressure to a first pitot-static system and theother pair of ADTS ports configured to supply air pressure to a secondpitot-static system; a manifold system in fluid communication with theat least one pneumatic pump and each pair of impact and static ADTSports, wherein the manifold system includes a channel for each of theports and further comprises a plurality of pressure sensors forcontrolling the pressure in each channel and a plurality of zeroingvalves interposing each channel, the zeroing valves being interconnectedand configured to be openable to a threshold pressure prior tocommencing a data test for the purpose of eliminating drift in thepressure sensors; a signal processor operatively coupled to the at leastone pneumatic pump and the manifold system and configured to issuecontrol signals thereto to test each of the first and secondpitot-static systems, and a plurality of drop-off valves interposingeach channel and disposed immediately upstream of the static and pitotports and downstream of the zeroing valves configured to manually reducethe applied pressure in the event of a system failure by sequentiallyopening when power is removed from the ADTS.
 2. The Air Data Test System(ADTS) of claim 1, further comprising: a graphical user interface tocommunicate with the signal processor and operative to input thepressure values requisite for the testing of the first and secondpitot-static systems.
 3. The Air Data Test System (ADTS) of claim 1,wherein the signal processor is configured to monitor and maintaincommanded air pressures in the manifold system.
 4. The Air Data TestSystem (ADTS) of claim 1, wherein the signal processor is configured toindependently and collectively issue commanded air pressure signalsindicative of airspeed and altitude values to each of the first andsecond pitot-static systems.
 5. The Air Data Test System (ADTS) of claim1, wherein the signal processor issues calibrated pressure offsetsbetween the first and second pitot-static systems to independently testthe alarm systems thereof.
 6. The Air Data Test System (ADTS) of claim3, wherein the signal processor is configured to: (i) issue a commandedair pressure signal indicative of a commanded air pressure associatedwith each of the impact and static ports, (ii) monitor the air pressurein the manifold system to detect variations therein beyond a prescribedrange of air pressure values, and (iii) issue an air pressure correctionsignal to the at least one pneumatic pump to maintain the commanded airpressure within the prescribed range of air pressure values.
 7. The AirData Test System (ADTS) of claim 1, wherein the at least one pneumaticpump includes a vacuum pump and a pressure pump in fluid communicationwith the manifold system.
 8. The Air Data Test System (ADTS) of claim 1,wherein the manifold system comprises a plurality of precision flowcontrol valves configured to simultaneously direct air pressure from theat least one pneumatic pump to each of the first and second pitot-staticsystems.
 9. The Air Data Test System (ADTS) of claim 1, wherein thesignal processor further comprises a master controller operative tocontrol one of the pairs of impact and static ADTS ports and a slavecontroller operative to control the other of the pairs of impact andstatic ADTS ports and wherein the slave controller is synchronized withthe master controller such that to simultaneously raise and lowercontrol pressures in the manifold system.
 10. An air data test setsystem, comprising: at least one pneumatic pump configured to generatepressurized air; at least two pairs of impact and static portsconfigured to direct at least a portion of the pressured air to apitot-static system; a manifold system, in fluid communication with theat least one pneumatic pump and each pair of impact and static ports,the manifold system comprising a plurality of flow control valvesconfigured to direct the pressurized air from the at least one pneumaticpump to the impact and static ports, wherein the manifold systemincludes a channel for each of the ports and further comprises aplurality of pressure sensors for controlling the pressure in eachchannel and a plurality of zeroing valves interposing each channel, thezeroing valves being interconnected and configured to be openable to athreshold pressure prior to commencing a data test for the purpose ofeliminating drift in the pressure sensors; a signal processoroperatively coupled to the at least one pneumatic pump and the manifoldsystem, the signal processor configured to: (i) issue a commanded airpressure signal indicative of a commanded air pressure associated witheach of the impact and static ports, (ii) monitor the air pressure inthe manifold system to detect variations therein beyond a prescribedrange of air pressure values, and (iii) issuing an air pressurecorrection signal to the at least one pneumatic pump to maintain thecommanded air pressure within the prescribed range of air pressurevalues; and a plurality of drop-off valves interposing each channel anddisposed immediately upstream of the static and pitot ports anddownstream of the zeroing valves configured to manually reduce theapplied pressure in the event of a system failure by sequentiallyopening when power is removed from the ADTS.
 11. The system of claim 10,further comprising: a graphical user interface operably coupled to thesignal processor and operative to input the pressure values requisitefor testing the pitot-static system.
 12. The system of claim 10, whereinthe signal processor simultaneously directs air pressure from the atleast one pneumatic pump to each of first and a second pitot staticsystem.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the signal processor furthercomprises a master controller operative to control one of the pairs ofimpact and static ADTS ports and a slave controller operative to controlthe other of the pairs of impact and static ADTS ports and wherein theslave controller is synchronized with the master controller.
 14. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the signal processor issues calibratedpressure offsets between the first and second pitot-static systems toindependently test the alarm systems thereof.
 15. An Air Data TestSystem (ADTS) for testing a pitot-static system, comprising: at leastone pneumatic pump configured to generate air pressure; at least twoimpact ports configured to direct at least a portion of the air pressureto the pitot ports corresponding to Thea first and a second airspeedinstrumentation undergoing the air data test; at least two static portsconfigured to direct at least a portion of the air pressure to thestatic ports corresponding to the first and second altitudeinstrumentation undergoing the air data test; a manifold system in fluidcommunication with the at least one pneumatic pump and comprising aplurality of flow control valves configured to simultaneously direct airpressure to both the first and second instruments through each of theimpact and static ports, wherein the manifold system includes a channelfor each of the ports and further comprises a plurality of pressuresensors for controlling the pressure in each channel and a plurality ofzeroing valves interposing each channel, the zeroing valves beinginterconnected and configured to be openable to a threshold pressureprior to commencing a data test for the purpose of eliminating drift inthe pressure sensors; a signal processor operatively coupled to the atleast one pneumatic pump and the manifold system and configured tosimultaneously control the commanded air pressure to each of the impactand static ports to perform simultaneous testing of both the first andsecond instruments; a mobile device connecting to the signal processorto issue command signals indicative of a prescribed air pressure valueto simulate an instrumentation values in at least one instrument onunder test; and a plurality of drop-off valves interposing each channeland disposed immediately upstream of the static and pitot ports anddownstream of the zeroing valves configured to manually reduce theapplied pressure in the event of a system failure by sequentiallyopening when power is removed from the ADTS.
 16. The Air Data TestSystem (ADTS) of claim 15, wherein the signal processor issuescalibrated pressure offsets between first and second pitot-staticsystems to independently test the alarm systems thereof.
 17. The AirData Test System (ADTS) of claim 15, wherein the signal processor isconfigured to: (i) issue a commanded air pressure signal indicative of acommanded air pressure associated with each of the impact and staticports, (ii) monitor the air pressure in the manifold system to detectvariations beyond a predetermined range of air pressure values, and(iii) issues an air pressure correction signal to maintain the commandedair pressure while conducting the data test.
 18. The Air Data TestSystem (ADTS) of claim 15, wherein the signal processor furthercomprises a master controller operative to control one of the pairs ofimpact and static ADTS ports and a slave controller operative to controlthe other of the pairs of impact and static ADTS ports and wherein theslave controller is synchronized with the master controller such thatthe commanded air pressure signals are simultaneously received by thefirst and second pitot-static systems.
 19. The Air Data Test System(ADTS) of claim 15, wherein the manifold system includes a channel foreach of the ports and further comprises a plurality of pressure sensorsfor controlling the pressure in each channel and a plurality of zeroingvalves interposing each channel, the zeroing valves being interconnectedand open to a threshold pressure prior to commencing a data test for thepurpose of eliminating drift in the pressure sensors.